India, Oct. 29 -- Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon as a powerful Category 5 hurricane, unleashing catastrophic winds, heavy rainfall, and massive storm surges across the island.

As of 4 pm ET, Melissa has weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Live footage and social media images show severe destruction in multiple parts of the Jamaica. Bridges and roads are submerged, while homes, schools, and hospitals have sustained significant damage.

In its latest bulletin, the US National Hurricane Center issued a warning, describing the situation as "extremely dangerous and life-threatening."

"Residents sho...